HAVANA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Sunday started her two-day official visit to Cuba, one of her last trips abroad as head of state, during which she will meet with her Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, and chair a joint business forum.

The visit began with a private meeting between Bachelet and several local intellectuals and artists, who witnessed the signing of a cultural agreement to strengthen links between both nations.

She will also participate in the signing of a collaboration agreement between Cuban and Chilean hospitals to deepen ties in research and health cooperation.

Bachelet was Chile's first female president from 2006 to 2010. She was re-elected in 2013 with a vote of over 62 percent, becoming the first person since 1932 to win the presidency of Chile twice.

Bachelet will hand the post over this March to businessman and former Chilean leader, Sebastian Pinera, who won the recent presidential elections. Enditem